June 8, 2015

Nashoba Valley Technical High School has won the grand prize for the 2015 AMP it up! Challenge, a video contest to highlight manufacturing in Massachusetts. For its video “The Bose Ride,” the School will receive $5,000. In addition to Nashoba Valley Tech, other winners from three regions won $2,500 for their respective schools. They were:

In total, middle and high school students from throughout the Commonwealth submitted 18 videos that received close to 2,000 votes. The videos are available at ampitupma.com/challenge.

“The challenge sought to build awareness and excitement about advanced manufacturing careers in Massachusetts, and I am thrilled with the number of students, companies, and voters who engaged in the campaign,” said Marty Jones, MassDevelopment President and CEO. “Congratulations to all the students who created these high-quality, engaging videos, and special thanks to the businesses that opened their doors to make this learning experience possible.”

AMP it up! promotes the many highly skilled, well-paying manufacturing jobs available in Massachusetts. The AMP it up! Challenge invited students to research the inner workings of an advanced manufacturing innovation and how it impacts the world by creating a short video highlighting a local advanced manufacturer. The videos answered three basic questions: 1) How is it made? 2) Why does it matter? and 3) What does it mean to me?

Several advanced manufacturing companies – AccuRounds, Bose, Mayfield Plastics, Phillips Manufacturing, Sensata Technology, and Valentine Tool Company – allowed students to explore and videotape their facilities for the project.

“We’re thrilled that Nashoba Valley Tech has won the AMP it up! Challenge,” said Dr. Judith Klimkiewicz, Superintendent of Nashoba Valley Technical High School. “The contest helped create awareness among our students about the Massachusetts advanced manufacturing industry, encouraged collaboration, and aligned perfectly with our school’s technical curriculum. These prize funds will go a long way toward boosting our programs.”

MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development agency, works with businesses, nonprofits, financial institutions, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2014, MassDevelopment financed or managed 314 projects generating investment of more than $2.9 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are projected to create more than 6,300 jobs and build or rehabilitate more than 1,600 residential units.